- Usage
- Public Domain
Humorist Jean Shepherd on his WOR radio program in 1965.
Reviews
Reviewer:
Max Schmid
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 25, 2018
Subject: Source of these recordings (since someone asked)
Subject: Source of these recordings (since someone asked)
There are really two answers to that question. A great many of these programs were broadcast on WBAI-NY at around 5:15 in the morning as part of my program called "Mass Backwards." You may even hear me introducing them or doing a legal ID for WBAI after Shep gives an ID for WOR - it's the law!
I got them from a fellow named Rudy, who recorded them in the back room of a photo shop in Queens. He taped the show fairly faithfully from 1963 to 1967, although there are lots of gaps. prior to September 1967, stations could broadcast the same content on their AM and FM signals. This was forbidden starting (as I recall) around Sept 01, 1967, and Shep was relegated to the AM side, and wasn't happy about it. It also took Rudy a week or two to adjust the position of the radio for decent reception. But thankfully many of the people who recorded Shep off the air prior to AM-only taped the FM signal. This is why the later shows don't sound as good as many of the early ones.
I got them from a fellow named Rudy, who recorded them in the back room of a photo shop in Queens. He taped the show fairly faithfully from 1963 to 1967, although there are lots of gaps. prior to September 1967, stations could broadcast the same content on their AM and FM signals. This was forbidden starting (as I recall) around Sept 01, 1967, and Shep was relegated to the AM side, and wasn't happy about it. It also took Rudy a week or two to adjust the position of the radio for decent reception. But thankfully many of the people who recorded Shep off the air prior to AM-only taped the FM signal. This is why the later shows don't sound as good as many of the early ones.
Reviewer:
deliotk
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 27, 2016
Subject: Shepherd was a great storyteller.
Subject: Shepherd was a great storyteller.
Nobody has ever told stories like him. Conversational, irreverent, seemingly just talking - spur of the moment, whatever comes to mind. And yet he somehow strings together seemingly unrelated bits and pieces to create something essential and satisfying. The very best at his craft.
Thanks a ton for posting this wonderful collection : )
Thanks a ton for posting this wonderful collection : )
Reviewer:
killerplanes
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
April 14, 2016
Subject: Jean Lives On!
Subject: Jean Lives On!
I've actually been waiting for SOMEBODY to find the tapes of his shows and make them available somehow. The memories come rushing back- some nights listening in the darkened kitchen, sitting next to the radio, and other nights laying in bed in our darkened bedroom (I shared a room and a radio with my brother Terry, who sent me the link to this archive. Thanks, Ter.) Laughing our butts off, with Jean talking right through the sign-off music on most nights. He just couldn't get enough in. Not for us, either. THANK YOU to whoever put this together!!!
Reviewer:
PopPop1234
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
December 28, 2015
Subject: Memories of Jean
Subject: Memories of Jean
I'm 62 now, and living in Ohio; but I grew up on Long Island. I have great memories of Jean...he would come on WOR at 10:15 on weeknights; at first I could hear it from my parent's bedroom. I was dying to get my own radio, mainly so I could hear "Shep." So when I was about 10, my mother let me paste her collection of S&H Green Stamps into those booklets, and when I was done we went to the S&H redemption store (yes, they had actual stores just to redeem the stamps) and there I got my radio. And thereafter I would go to sleep to Shep (and if I still was awake, I'd move on to Long John Nebel).
Reviewer:
will09
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
November 14, 2015
Subject: a writer's story
Subject: a writer's story
The natural development of story verses personal knowledge has. never been so clear and entertainingly direct as these wonderful word stories seem so naturally simple. Notice how he keeps the listener on track. Amazing.
will09
will09
Reviewer:
Charlie Heinz
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
February 24, 2014
Subject: Music for "Doz" creature poem 1965-02-04
Subject: Music for "Doz" creature poem 1965-02-04
Aha! I located the music Shepherd chose to use for the "Doz" creature. It's from the 1935 American remake of "The Informer" composed by Max Steiner. Further research located the original motif in the 1929 original "The Informer" movie, which was shared by Herbert Bath and Harry Stafford. It was one of the first British sound films.
Reviewer:
Max Reiner
-
favoritefavoritefavoritefavoritefavorite -
August 9, 2012
Subject: Excellent Audio Quality!
Subject: Excellent Audio Quality!
These shows have excellent audio quality. Thanks for sharing. And the audio levels are consistent. Are these then air checks from WOR itself?
I particularly like his Army signal corps experiences. I sometimes feel I could do a Shepherd-like commentary on the Army. But I never get around to it. And how would I get people to listen. HA!
There should be some person with similar talents to Jean Shepherd to carry on. It would help to revive radio.
Thanks again!
I particularly like his Army signal corps experiences. I sometimes feel I could do a Shepherd-like commentary on the Army. But I never get around to it. And how would I get people to listen. HA!
There should be some person with similar talents to Jean Shepherd to carry on. It would help to revive radio.
Thanks again!
